THE IRRIGATION AGE. 269 



days ago every nation was astounded at the fact that our country at 

 that time controlled the finances of the whole world. 



What, then, has been the powerful cause whereby our people 

 have made such wonderful growth and so far outstripped the older 

 nations, that heretofore have always possessed the controlling wealth 

 of the world'? We have accomplished it by quietly developing the 

 almost exhaustless resources of our country, and utilizing the natural 

 products in manufacturing different articles needed by humanity in 

 various parts of the earth. We have been greatly aided in their man- 

 ufacture by the inventive genius in which our people manifestly excel 

 all others, thus enabling us not only to overcome the obstacle of 

 cheaper labor in other countries, but to produce really far more ex- 

 cellent goods and at decidedly a less cost than any of our competitors. 

 These facts of our superior skill and energy in developing and util- 

 izing our natural resources, have brought our nation from mere noth- 

 ing to the point whereby our exports in 1898 considerably exceeded 

 those of every other nation in existence and were just about double 

 the amount of our imports. 



This wonderful attainment was accomplished in the face of de- 

 cided hindrances to success in many ways. Not having our own 

 merchant ships we are still compelled to use those of foreign coun- 

 tries, chiefly our direct competitors, thus not only paying them about 

 $100,000,000 each year as freight for carrying our goods, but having 

 them everywhere to influence the trade away from us if possible, and 

 into the hands of the manufacturers and dealers of their own country. 

 Not only has the vast influence of the shipping interest in all foreign 

 countries been against us, but also the gigantic interests of the en- 

 tire producing, manufacturing and selling elements of the various 

 nations all over the world. This commercial rivalry has already be- 

 come so strong that the jealousy of the people of certain European 

 countries has been very bitterly manifested against our own nation, 

 and we are justified in looking with a large degree of apprehension 

 as to what this feeling may cause the future to have in store for us. 

 Certainly we ought not for a moment to lose sight of its existence, 

 but should begin now to prepare for its possible developement, in- 

 stead of our remaining satisfied with our marvelous attainments, and 

 being puffed up and satiated by our present success. 



Common prudence demands that we immediately begin to remove 

 the hindrances to our commercial success, by the rapid building of 

 our own ships, both for merchant marine, and for a navy sufficient to 

 thoroughly protect all of our national interests everywhere, no mat- 

 ter what the future may have in store for us. Nor should we allow 

 ourselves to be deceived by the flattery any nation gives to us be- 

 cause it is not at present able to fully combat our success, while all 

 the time it is intriguing with others, so as to ultimately overcome us, 

 hiding its preparations under a plea of desired peace. 



